Love doesn't have to be hard

Chapter 9: Jokes on You

Zed and I are cuddled up on his couch when his phone buzzes three times back to back. He looks at his messages and smiles.

"Baby, looks like it's time for our performance. Molly and Hardin have both texted me about the bet. Hardin said he is going to be your shoulder to cry on then you will fuck him. Molly just says it's showtime, time to confess for your sins."

"Okay, I am going to act upset and look at you like you have devastated me, then you will try and get me to listen to you, and we will both laugh at them. They need to get a life and quit being jealous of ours."

"Yes, they do, but we are stronger than them. We are in this together, and I told you about the bet before we slept together. I fucking love you so much." 

"I fucking love you so much as well. Yes, we are. Thank you again for being honest with me and telling me. I don't know how I would have felt if I had found out from them rather than you. I would have been so heartbroken and betrayed."

"Well, I couldn't have slept with you for the very first time and not told you. I still felt so guilty even after telling you. You know I would have waited as long as you wanted me to."

"I know that, and I appreciate you saying that. I wanted you that night, and I want you now. I never seem to get enough of you."

"Trust me, babe, I feel the exact same way. So, you want me right now?" He trailed his fingers down my neck to my chest. All I could do was shake my head. 

He jumped up, picked me up, and took me to his bedroom, where we made love. He held me afterward and ran his fingers through my hair. 

We showered and got dressed. "Okay, show time; she and Hardin just texted me again, telling me to meet them in twenty at Blind Bob's."

"I'm going to ride into that area with you, and then you will text me when I need to show up."

So, we headed out. He dropped me off a block away. I went into the bookstore. I found a few books I wanted to get but didn't want to have to carry them, so I made a list.

I got a text from Hardin that he is with Zed and Molly. I rudely ask him where, and he says Blind Bob's. I made my way to Blind Bob's and saw Steph's hair as soon as I walked in. Zed isn't at the table because he went to the restroom. 

"Hey Tessa, I have missed you since you rarely show up to the room anymore."

"Yeah, I stay at Zed's most nights."

"So, are you and him living together?"

"Not officially, but practically."  

"Oh, wow, I didn't know you two were that serious."

"Yeah, we are. Where is Zed?"

"You should know if you are so serious," Molly says smugly.

"I saw his truck, and Hardin said Zed was here. So, where is he?"

"Look who I found; it's Zed. Zed, you remember our friends, right? Oh, and look, Tessa is here. I tried to tell you his intentions weren't pure and to be careful."   

"Oh, well, Tessa has been telling us that you and she are really serious, and she practically lives with you."

"Okay, she stays five nights at my apartment and maybe two at hers so she does practically live with me. What's your point?" He stood beside her as she sat beside Steph.

"Well, we just thought Tessa here would like to be included in the game you and Hardin were playing."

"What game? Zed, what are they talking about?"